I Am Not your Perfect Mexican Daughter Essay Questions

How is ambition portrayed in the novel?

Sánchez characterizes Julia as an ambitious, intelligent young woman who works hard to achieve her dreams. Despite encountering numerous setbacks throughout her college admission process, Julia is able to work with Mr. Ingman to write an admissions essay that poignantly describes the hardships that have shaped her character. This essay helps Julia gain acceptance to New York University on a full scholarship. After experiencing pain and complications, Julia is able to meet her goals and escape the stifling circumstances of her life in Chicago.

What is a "perfect Mexican daughter" and how is this idea turned on its head?

Following Olga's death, Julia is consistently reminded of her sister's "perfection" and her own shortcomings. Olga is chaste, respectful, and reserved, while Julia is outspoken and assertive. When Julia snoops through Olga's belongings in hopes of finding more clues about her late sister, she finds that Olga hid large parts of her identity in order to maintain the image that her parents desired. In this way, perfection is portrayed as unattainable. As the story progresses, Julia realizes that being a good daughter and a friend is best achieved by practicing honesty and transparency.

How does Julia's relationship with her parents change over the course of the novel?

While Olga's death affects the entire Reyes family, it also deepens pre-existing family fissures. Amá is triggered by past traumas, and her neuroticism intensifies. She blames and resents Julia, which leads the two to argue incessantly. Meanwhile, Apá becomes increasingly withdrawn and solemn. Ultimately, Julia feels destabilized by her parents' disparate reactions, and she is unable to confide in her parents at this time. It isn't until Julia's suicide attempt that Amá and Apá realize how their daughter has been affected by recent events. When Julia is hospitalized, Amá and Apá realize Julia's emotional needs. Later, when Julia goes to Los Ojos, she realizes that she also needs to approach her parents with empathy and understanding.

How does this novel address themes of culture and migration?

As a first-generation American growing up with undocumented Mexican parents, Julia often explains how she straddles two worlds. In Chicago, Julia's "American" experience is profoundly shaped by her Mexican heritage. However, when she is in Mexico, Julia finds herself feeling more American. For example, Julia is more comfortable expressing herself in English rather than in Spanish, and she realizes how some of her habits have been influenced by her upbringing in the U.S.

Although Julia was first preoccupied with her own story as a first-generation immigrant, her trip to Los Ojos allows her to gain insight into her parents' immigration experience. Amá and Apá had to sacrifice numerous parts of their lives in order to build a future for themselves across the border. When Julia returns to Chicago from Los Ojos, she is able to empathize with her parents and see their commonalities instead of focusing on their differences.

In what way does Julia's trip to Los Ojos, Mexico, help her heal?

Following Julia's suicide attempt, Amá and Apá encourage her to visit Los Ojos in order to clear her head and reconnect with her extended family. At first, Julia resists her parents' suggestion. She worries that she will lose contact with her home friends and fall behind in school. However, Julia's time in Los Ojos is healing. In spending time in a new environment, Julia gets distance from the trauma that she has experienced over the past years. Passing time with her grandmother, aunts, uncles, and cousins reminds Julia of her support network and the love they have for her. In addition, she discovers details about Amá and Apá's lives that enable Julia to see them less as detached parental figures and more as relatable people that have had to overcome their share of trauma.